VIJHL Breaks Away: Independence Announcement Marks New Era for the League!
(Photo: VIJHL)
According to a press release on their website, a board vote by the 11 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) franchises, the league decided that it will become an independent league starting this season (2024-25) and will no longer be affiliated with Hockey Canada or BC Hockey.
The league said this decision was made to enhance the development opportunities for VIJHL players and their families and give the league greater autonomy over its future path.
“The VIJHL is pleased to announce our move to become an independent league starting next season and to operate outside of Hockey Canada’s umbrella going forward,” said VIJHL President Simon Morgan in the press release.
“After months of hard work behind the scenes by the ownership group of our 11 franchises, this decision to move the VIJHL into a new space in junior hockey will allow players more opportunities for development going forward.”
According to officials, this move will benefit the VIJHL by providing greater development opportunities for players through affiliation agreements with higher levels of hockey, allowing the league to make decisions that are in its best interest, and increasing the player pool, which will raise the level of play in the league.
“We would also like to thank our former league partners in the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) and the Kootenay Interior Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) for their years of partnership, and we wish them nothing but the best going forward,” said Morgan.
